The concept of the third day in Scripture often marks a pivotal moment of transformation and hope. In the account of creation in Genesis 1, on the third day, God separated the land from the seas, revealing what was hidden and populating it with abundant plant life, symbolizing life out of seeming death and setting a pattern of revival and abundance. Similarly, in Hosea 6:2, after two days of trial and separation from God, on the third day, He begins to revive and restore Israel, initiating a process of repentance and reconciliation with a humbled remnant turning to seek the Lord. In the narrative of David's sin in II Samuel 24, the third day marks the end of a devastating plague, a day of repentance for David, and the purchase of Araunah's threshing floor, which becomes the site for the Temple, advancing God's plan for unified worship. The third day also carries profound significance in the life of Abraham, as seen in Genesis 22 with the binding of Isaac. On the third day of their journey, a moment of dark trial transforms into joy through God's provision of a substitute ram, revealing Abraham's unwavering faith and foreshadowing key elements of a sacrificial Savior, a beloved Son, and a substitutionary sacrifice. In Exodus 19, the third day is a momentous occasion as God descends upon Mount Sinai in glory to deliver His law, a precursor to another anticipated third day when Jesus Christ will return to establish His Kingdom, bringing peace, justice, and abundant life. The most significant third day event is the resurrection of Jesus Christ, occurring on the third day as detailed in Matthew, Luke, Acts, and I Corinthians 15:4. This event encapsulates major third day themes: revival through resurrection, restoration of His divine glory and authority, revelation of His true identity as very God, and the unveiling of His presence throughout Scripture. It also marks the disciples as witnesses to preach repentance and remission of sins, opening God's plan of salvation to all mankind and installing Him as High Priest and Mediator for reconciliation with God. These third day events, often beginning in darkness, consistently turn toward hope, restoration, and victory, glorifying God through their transformative outcomes.

On the third day at Gettysburg, July 3rd, 1863, the decisive moment of the battle unfolded. General George Meade, the overall Union commander, anticipated that Robert E. Lee, known for his aggressive tactics, would target the center of the Union line on Cemetery Ridge, an untested segment of the army. Despite General James Longstreet's strong objections to such a direct assault against the Union's fortified position over open ground, Lee ordered the attack, famously known as Pickett's Charge. Fifteen thousand Confederate troops advanced three-quarters of a mile across exposed terrain, climbing fences and ascending a steep slope to confront about 6,500 Union soldiers, supported by nearby reinforcements. The Confederate artillery barrage intended to weaken the Union line proved ineffective, as the shots overshot their targets, leaving the Union forces largely unscathed. As the rebels advanced, they were disordered by the terrain, battered by flanking fire, and devastated by untouched Union artillery and rifle fire. Striking the Union center off their intended mark, they briefly broke through, only to be repelled by Union reinforcements. The ragged retreat marked a crushing defeat for the Confederacy, with Robert E. Lee taking personal responsibility as his men passed by, declaring, "It's all my fault." The staggering losses to the South's largest army at Gettysburg on this third day are widely regarded as the turning point of the Civil War, severely diminishing Confederate hopes for victory and ensuring they would never again threaten the North. While the war continued for nearly two more years, the third day at Gettysburg dashed one side's aspirations and revived the other's, fostering restored hopes and ultimately a restored Union. The concept of the third day, as seen in the battle's outcome, carries a symbolic weight of revival and restoration. This pattern emerges in various events associated with the third day, often appearing initially as dark or catastrophic but swiftly turning toward light and positive outcomes. On the third day, hidden elements are revealed, and creative acts unfold, mirroring a process of unveiling and rebuilding. Just as the third day at Gettysburg marked a pivotal shift from defeat to hope, it reflects a broader theme of transformation, where despair gives way to renewal and abundance.

The disciples' assertion on the first day of the week, as they walked with Jesus to Emmaus, that "today is the third day since these things happened" (Luke 24:21), presents a challenge to the timing of the crucifixion. Some interpret this to suggest a Thursday crucifixion, while others, using inclusive counting, argue it points to a Friday crucifixion, aligning with traditional views. However, considering the context, the disciples may not be referring solely to the burial but to the entire sequence of events during Crucifixion Week, including the setting of a guard on the tomb, which likely occurred on Thursday or early Friday. Thus, they could mean it had been three days since the last of these events. Alternatively, their statement might imply disappointment that the third day of Jesus' sign of being three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matthew 12:40) had already passed, suggesting their hopes for redemption were dashed as the time for the sign was up.